FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  
What is oral and maxillofacial surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery specializes in the disorders of the mouth, teeth, jaws, and facial structures. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons care for people with problem wisdom teeth, facial pain, and misaligned jaws. They treat accident victims suffering facial injuries, offering reconstructive and cosmetic solutions. They are concerned about helping children born with poorly shaped jaws and they care for patients with cancer. Their concern extends to their patients' total health. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?”

Why should I remove my wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly, and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, and even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Wisdom Teeth.”

What methods are used to control pain and anxiety?
During surgery, one or more of the following methods can be used: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide-oxygen, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Commonly, patients describe their feelings during surgery as surprisingly pleasant, without a care in the world. After surgery, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon can prescribe a number of medications to make you as comfortable as possible when you get home. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Anesthesia.”

What are dental implants?
Dental Implants are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional dentures and bridges for people who have lost one or more teeth. Implants are more comfortable, stronger, longer lasting, and less likely to cause damage to surrounding teeth and bone than dentures or bridges – and you don’t have to soak them in a glass at night. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Dental Implants.”

What kind of training and education do oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive?
After completing four years of dental school, oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive four to seven years of hospital training, alongside medical doctors, in general surgery, anesthesia, general medicine and specialized surgery, including plastic and trauma surgery. Only then are oral and maxillofacial surgeons allowed to practice independently. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “What is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.”

What foods are acceptable to eat following surgery?
Since solid foods can't be chewed, they can be liquefied in a blender. And although the food may not always look appetizing, it can be tasty. Cooked servings of your favorite foods can be blended seperately or in combinations to suit your taste. Normal seasonings can be added. But, best of all, you'll be getting your full supply of nutrients. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Nutrition.”

What is corrective jaw surgery?
One of our jaws may grow too much or too little. The resulting abnormality may interfere with proper teeth alignment, speaking and chewing. The tongue and lips may be forced to move awkwardly during speech and swallowing in an attempt to compensate for the jaw malrelationship. There may be a speech defect or excessive mouth breathing. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Corrective Jaw Surgery.”

My brother chews tobacco, and I’ve noticed that he seems to constantly have a sore throat. Is it possible that he might have oral cancer?
A constant sore throat could be a sign of oral cancer. Other signs include dark or whitish spots in the mouth or on the tongue, lumps or swelling anywhere in the oral cavity or the lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw, and sores in the mouth that recur or won’t stop bleeding. Early treatment provides the best chance to avoid disfigurement or death from oral cancer. See your oral and maxillofacial surgeon immediately if you have any of these symptoms. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Oral Cancer.”

Is sleep apnea the same thing as snoring?
Snoring and sleep apnea are often related, but they are not the same thing. Snoring is sometimes a symptom of sleep apnea, which is an interruption of breathing during sleep. If someone tells you that you frequently quit breathing and suddenly start awake at night, you may have sleep apnea, which can lead to chronic fatigue and even heart and lung disease. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer treatments for snoring and sleep apnea ranging from behavioral counseling to mouth appliances to surgery to correct collapsing airways.

Do oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform facial injury procedures?
Yes. Their training and expertise uniquely qualify them to deal with these types of injuries. These can include a wide range of injuries, from facial cuts and lacerations to more serious problems, like broken teeth and fractured facial bones. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Facial Injuries.”
What if my insurance won’t cover a procedure?
While many oral and maxillofacial procedures are covered by dental or medical insurance (sometimes both), insurers often will limit payment or not pay for procedures they deem “cosmetic.” Sometimes payment can be secured through an appeal from your oral and maxillofacial surgeon emphasizing the functional gains the procedure offers. In cases where insurance coverage is not available, most oral and maxillofacial surgeons can offer a payment plan. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Insurance.”
Can an oral and maxillofacial surgeon make a custom-fit mouth guard for my son, a football player?
Yes. A custom mouth guard is a little more expensive than the ones you pick up at the sporting goods store, but it will do a better job of protecting your son’s mouth, jaws and teeth. And it will cost much less than replacing even one tooth. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Sports Safety.”

What is TMJ disorder and how is it treated?
TMJ disorder may refer to a variety of injuries or dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. TMJ symptoms may include earaches, headaches, a clicking or grinding noise from the jaw joint, limited jaw movement, or pain when the jaw is opened or closed. Arthritis and injury are two major causes of TMJ. Symptoms may also result from a slipped disc in the joint, or jaw spasms. TMJ treatment varies with the cause and severity of the symptoms, and may include physical therapy, joint splints, or surgery. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “The TMJ.”
Do oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform cosmetic surgery procedures?
Yes. By their very nature, many oral and maxillofacial procedures, such as correcting bites and reconstructing injured or congenitally malformed faces, have a major aesthetic impact. In addition, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to offer a wide range of elective cosmetic procedures, including rhinoplasty (nose reduction), wrinkle removal, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information, click here to download a detailed pamphlet, “Cosmetic Maxillofacial Surgery.”